Chapter 7 - Desert-suitable genetic material

Abstract

In modern olive plantations, including those in dryland conditions, cultivars are either derived via traditional or modern technologies in order to achieve genetic improvement, or are selected from the numerous genotypes of the Mediterranean region or elsewhere. Desirable criteria that are taken into consideration when selecting genetic materials should solve both agronomic and commercial problems. The prime criteria that should be considered when selecting genetic materials for olive-growing include: auto-production or auto-fertile plants, the regulation of fruit ripening and increase of oil content and quality, the production of plants with parthenocarpic fruits, increased tolerance to cold and salt, modification of vegetative habitats, and resistance to biotic stress. Until the past two decades, morphological descriptions of the olive tree and the olives were the most common method used to identify the selected olive trees, which were later described as new varieties. The recent development of molecular biology allows evaluation of the genetic variability in olive trees in an objective and precise manner. For further development of cost-effective olive oil production in the desert environment, along with other technological improvements, the selection of olive varieties suitable for desert cultivation has played a crucial role. Many olive varieties including locally grown varieties, European varieties, Spanish semiarid varieties, and Central Asian varieties have been collected, cultivated in the Negev Desert, and evaluated for their suitability for the desert environment.